The jury returned guilty verdicts on all five counts he had faced, but the trial judge stayed a charge of driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.

Greenspan argued for a new trial, saying that Ramage, having been given morphine for pain following the crash, was in no state to give informed consent when an officer asked him for a urine sample.

The trial judge ruled that the officer had merely collected and preserved what he knew could be potentially relevant evidence.

The seizure of the urine sample was comparable to the seizure of a "discarded tissue," the appeal court justices wrote in upholding the trial judge's decision to allow the evidence.

"The evidence was properly admitted."

However, the court said it was concerned by the officer's "attitude towards the appellant's rights."

The Crown conceded the Charter violation, but argued the trial judge rightly allowed the urine evidence because the officer's conduct fell short of "flagrant or egregious."

Greenspan said Monday that Ramage will be fully eligible for parole after serving a third of his sentence, but could be released on day parole before then.

"Obviously there's a sense of disappointment in the family and by all of us," Greenspan said.

"As usual Rob handled it with his usual sense of dignity and with some sense of resignation," he said.

"He is an extraordinary person and a decent human being and will have to live with the results of the appeal, and has done so and will do so in an appropriate manner."

Ramage won Stanley Cup rings with the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens. He also played for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers. Ramage retired after the 1993-94 season.

Magnuson was a rugged defenceman who played his entire 11-season NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks, retiring after the 1979-80 campaign. He also coached the team for a season and a half.